My Biggest Regrets: Part 2

Posted on May 14th, 2019

This podcast is Part 2 of my biggest regrets over the last 40 years of my leadership. I complete the list that I began last week. This has been a sobering process for me – deleting some, adding others, digging up a one or two painful ones that I preferred to bury, and then realizing they too deserved to make the list.

The early church fathers considered the most precious gift, or charism, in the church to be discretion (i.e. discernment). They understood that without discretion, we are dangerous – speaking too freely, giving people burdens they cannot bear, and offering superficial spiritual counsel. Reflecting on our mistakes and regrets can be a gift if we learn from them.

In Part One of My Biggest Regrets I shared my top four:

1. Not understanding dual relationships and power
2. Impatience and rushing in making key decisions
3. Not leading (or listening to God) out of our marriage the first nine years
4. Not working less, resting more, and giving away responsibilities earlier

This week, in Part Two, I talk about my final six:

Not redefining success clearly and early enough

Not moving to team preaching earlier

Not making difficult, but right decisions because of fear.

Not putting my family first before the church

Not building 360’s into our leadership culture – starting with me

Not building deeper silence into my life earlier

I pray this podcast encourages you on your leadership journey to listen more closely to God and, in so doing, mature into a wise, discrete (discerning) leader.